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Salzburg

"Framed by mountains, crowned by the Hohensalzburg Fortress and divided by the turquoise Salzach River, the Salzburg landscape is pure drama.” Frommers

This view

What a pleasant surprise this gave me! A room with a view. The Hohensalzburg Fortress no less!

Mirabell Gardens

Salzburg's historic center is like a three layer cake. The colorful gardens of Mirabell Palace form the base of the cake. The green dome and towers of the Cathedral of Salzburg whet the visual appetite in the midsection. And Hohensalzburg Fortress is the icing on the cake. There you go. The Salzburger kuchen.

Speaking of cake, check out the outdoor market on Universitätsplatz. There are several stalls selling the most tempting cakes and pastries.

A courtyard café

Salzburg is a city of cafés. You'll find one that fits your mood.

Salzburg Dom

Baroque art fluorished in the 17th century in part to stem the tide of the Reformation movement. The leaders of the Catholic Church in Rome viewed art and architecture as key to communicating the teachings of the Church and to bring back errant Catholics to the faith. The Cathedral of Salzburg is an example of early Baroque art.

The Sphere by Stephan Balkenhol

The Sphere is the one of several works of art donated by the Salzburg Foundation, a private initiative. The Art Project Salzburg was a ten-year project with the objective of "supplementing the city's long standing cultural tradition by contemporary artistic statements and to offer the publican opportunity for a direct involvement with this form of art". An internationally renowned artist (selected by a panel of a global team of curators) was invited annually to create a work of art for display in public venues throughout Salzburg. The Sphere is on the Kapitelplatz which is one of the main squares in the historic core of Salzburg. It is under the shadow of Hohensalzburg Fortress.

Awilda

This sculpture of a woman with Caribbean features is the work of Catalan artist, Jaume Plensa. It is made from twenty slabs of Spanish white marble and rises 5 meters from the ground. Awilda radiates serenity in the courtyard of the University of Salzburg. This sculpture is the ninth project of the Salzburg Art Project.

St. Blasiuskirche

St. Blasius Church appears to be in an awkward position. It's pushed against the side of the Mönschberg. The church was constructed in 1333 as part of the hospital and there's no record of the builder. It's certainly one of the most intriguing buildings in the old town.

Makartsteg on the Salzach River

Where there's a bridge, there will be love locks. Makartsteg connects the Alstadt of Salzburg with the Neustadt. River cruises can be booked under the bridge.

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